Comment Log Display

Dear ARB:

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the Draft AB 32
Scoping Plan. I just learned of the opportunity yesterday
(7/30/08).  

I have read through the Executive Summary and read the comments in
the Transportation and Land Use areas as well. And surprisingly,
by-and-large, I agree with most everyone’s comments. I wish I had
time to read through the entire 294 pages of the appendices, but
the comment closing date looms too close. 

First I’d like to thank everyone (governing bodies, agencies,
businesses, and citizens) for their work on this, on AB 32, and
all other Climate Change mitigation work. This is the most serious
situation/problem of the modern era. These problems will take BOLD
actions of governments and people alike, but the most important
component is STRONG leadership of government. We can’t take baby
steps, we can’t be protectionist for special interest (e.g. the
Building or Auto Industries) – life itself hangs in the balance.
And thus I want to say I support others in stating that our state
government must take the leadership role in mandating a great many
things to accomplish our goals to reduce GHG, and a host of other
problems. I will be speaking here mostly on the very important
subjects of Transportation and Land Use. 

First I’d like to show my support to other comments made on the
Scoping Plan (I will be paraphrasing to save space).

From the Land Use area:

L. Sadler – “…land use planning is the single most important
aspect...”
S. Thomas –  the State must “…step in to constrain local land
use…make developers accountable…having strong state laws is the
most equitable…”
C. Pirch – “…the state should direct infrastructure dollars to
projects where local government land use plans meet AB 32
targets…”
L. Nock – “institute Smart Growth land use…”
M. Dempsey – “…remove financial incentives to develop in
agricultural areas…”
K. Grimes – “…require Calif law and local land use regulations to
favor low-carbon development…”
C. Chase makes many good comments and arguments in both of her
letters, one great statement I love and strongly support is,
“…make an unequivocal commitment to State transit funding.”

Additionally, T. Clark of the City of Hughson makes some very good
counter arguments we should pay attention to.  

In the Transportation area:

Here, there is one person I do have to disagree with. Mr. R. Tata
suggests that we use “non-regulatory actions,” but there are many
example of how those do NOT work. Volunteer programs to promote
changes in business or personal practices or habits just don’t
work. Take for example the Kyoto Protocol and Pres. Bush. 

“The 1997 Kyoto Protocol would oblige ratifying countries to
reduce carbon dioxide emissions according to set schedules, to
minimize potential global warming. The pact has not taken effect,
however.

The United States, the world's biggest carbon dioxide emitter,
signed the agreement but did not ratify it, and the Bush
administration has since withdrawn U.S. support, calling instead
for voluntary emission reductions by U.S. industry and more
scientific research into climate change.” (2005 The Associated
Press)

But according to a March 5, 2007, article in the Guardian UK, the
US is on track to INCREASE CO2 output by 20% by 2050, so much for
volunteer controls. Let me illustrate this more simply, if we
didn’t have to pay taxes, who would “volunteer” to do so? The only
way to achieve our lofty, but necessary goals is through laws,
mandates, restrictions, controls, and voluntary action. If we need
to amend CARB to close loopholes or make it work for us, we should
do that.  

There need to be enforceable controls if we ever hope to make a
difference in what we are doing to our planet. There must also be
responsibility and accountability. Because, the bottom line is…all
of this results in a major and serious situation…human health and
well being (Public Health). Here is what Dr. Richard Jackson,
Public Health and Environmental Design professor, and former
Director of the CDC has to say on land use and transit.

In one of his research seminar series, Dr. Jackson, stated that in
2005, California lost over a quarter of a million acres of prime
farm land to development – some 300,000 acres in just one year. 

In the Summer 2007 issue of UC Berkeley’s School of Public
Health’s, Public Health magazine Dr. Jackson says, “We need to
create cities and towns that meet the planet’s demands and our
pocketbook needs for efficiency; places that allow a child or
someone elderly, disabled or poor to meet their life needs for
safety, autonomy, transport, access to healthy food and medical
care, and to culture and community. We must stop pretending that
if we build endless tract houses on fine agricultural land that
these human benefits will magically spring up. Better habitation
helped beat infectious disease; it can help to beat chronic
disease epidemic as well.” 

By not fully developing infill space within urban settings we are
seriously wasting our available and valuable space. I don’t just
mean land, but total SPACE – as well as endangering ourselves,
civilization, and all life.

In closing I’d just like to stress that we need to take bold and
decisive action, and we need to take it now. We need strong and
brave governmental leadership and laws with teeth to complete the
task at hand. Let me leave you with a very old quote that still
has resounding relevance today.

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to
conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead
in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the
innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the
old order of things, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do
well under the new.                       - Niccolo Machiavelli 

Lastly, here is a link to our website about bringing streetcars
back to the East Bay. On the site you can find several papers and
important reports that are worth taking a look at. Additionally,
there are many links to local and regional organizations working
with us to resolve these common issues and problems.

http://www.reconnectingemeryville.com 

Thanx again,

Steven Keller – UC Berkeley, School of Public Health
John Scheuerman – Design Engineer, Siemens – Planning
Commissioner, City of Emeryville

Original File Name:

Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2008-07-31 13:33:55